Automatic reversing attachment for fertilizer-distributers.



PATENTED NOV. 1,-1904.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31. 1904.

ZSEBETS-SHEBT 1.

NO MODEL.

ZZQU

} PATENTED NOV. 1 ,1904.

v H. A. ZOBRIST. AUTOMATIC REVERSING ATTACHMENT FOR FERTILIZER DISTRIBUTERS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31, 1904.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

N0 MODEL.

IINTTED STATES Patented November 1, 1904.

HENRY A. ZOBRIST, OF HIGHLAND, ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC REVERSING ATTACHMENT FOR FERTILIZER-DISTRIBUTETIS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 773,842, dated November 1, 1904.

Application filed May 31, 1904:. Serial N0- 210,358. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY A. ZoBRIsT, a citizen of the United States, residing in Highland, in the county of Madison and State of Illinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Reversing Attachments for Fertilizer-Distributers, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

My invention relates to an attachment for fertilizer-distributers,the object of the invention being to provide mechanism for reversing the travel of the shifting apron of the distributer automatically when it reaches the limit of its movement in each direction.

Figure I is a side elevation of a fertilizerdistributer bed with my improvement shown applied thereto. Fig. II is a perspective view of the pawl-tripping mechanism. Fig. III is a view of the rock-shaft crank-arm of the pawl-tripping mechanism and the trip-arms carried by the fertilizer-distributing apron. Fig. IV is a perspective view of the retainingdog and its controlling means that receives the engagement of the pawl-tripping mechanism. Fig. V is an enlarged horizontal section taken on line V V, Fig. IV. Fig.VI is an enlarged side elevation of the feed-shaft ratchetwheels, the pawl that engages said wheels, and the pawl-tripping mechanism; and Fig.VII is a top or plan view of the feed-shaft ratchetwheels and the pawl that engages said wheels.

1 designates a wagon-bed of a fertilizer-distributer, within which operates an apron 2. (See dotted lines, Fig. I, and full lines, Fig. III.) This apron carries at its lower side rearwardly-projecting inclined trip-fingers 3 and.

4:, the former being located at the forward end of the apron and the latter being located at the rear end of the apron and of less length than the former.

5 is an operating-shaft journaled in the rear end of the bed 1 and provided with suitable sheaves or pulleys on which the apron 2 travels. The forward and rear ends of the apron are united by connecting-ropes 6, that at the forward end of the bed 1 lead around sheaves 7 to direct the movement of the apron.

8 designates a pair of ratchet-wheels (see Figs. I,VI, and VII) that are fixed to the operating-shaft 5 and are adapted when actuated to be rotated in opposite directions to impart reverse rotation to the operating-shaft, and consequently rearward or discharging shifting movement to the apron 2 and forward or return shifting movement to the apron into the bed 1 after the fertilizer has been distributed from said apron.

9 designates a rocking lever loosely moun ted on the operating-shaft 5 and extending upwardly therefrom. The upper end of this rocking lever has connected to it a pitman 10, that leads to the running-gear (not shown) of the wagon, on which the bed 1 and its appurtenant parts are mounted and through the medium of which said rocking lever is continually vibrated during the travel of the fertilizer-distributer.

11 is a double pawl that is pivoted at 12 to the rocking lever 9 and the ends of which terminate in points 13 and 1 offset from each other, as seen in Fig. VII, for engagement with the two operating-shaft ratchet-wheels 8, according to the direction it is desired to propel said operating-shaft.

15 is a spring for controlling the double pawl 11 to maintain either of its points in engagement with the ratchet-wheels 8, the said spring being adapted to bear against the upper side of the pawl when one of its points is depressed, as shown in full lines, Fig. VI, and to receive the direct engagement of the previously-depressed point when the other pawl-point is depressed, as illustrated in dotted lines, Fig. VI, and full lines, Fig. I.

16 designates a rock-shaftmounted in bearing-boxes 17 and extending from the exterior of the bed 1 to the interior thereof beneath the apron 2. Fixed to the inner end of the rock-shaft 16 is a crank-arm 18, that is provided with a roller 19, which is adapted to be engaged by the trap-fingers 3 and 4 when said apron reaches the-limits of its shifting movement.

20 and 20 designate a pair of spring-arms that are carried by a head 21,fixed to the rockshaft 16. These spring-arms extend rearwardly from the rock-shaft,the upper arm 20 being provided with fingers 22 and 23, extending at right angles thereto, and the lower spring-arm being provided with fingers 22 and 23, extending at right angles to the arm.

The finger 23 of the upper arm is positioned directly above the forward arm of the double pawl 11, and the finger 23 is positioned beneath said pawl-arm.

2a designates a standard suitably supported adjacent to the ratchet-wheels 8 and rocking lever 9 and the other parts associated therewith. 25 is a dog pivoted at 26 to said standard. This dog is provided with a notched upper end 27 and notched lower end 28, the upper one of which receives the spring-arm finger 22 and the lower of which receives the spring-arm finger 22 under certain condi tions, to be hereinafter set forth.

29 designates an oscillating bar pivoted at 30 to the upper end of the standard 24: and having slot-and-pin connection at 31 with the dog 25. This oscillating bar is apertured in termediate of its ends to receive'a reciprocating rod 32, that is pivoted at 33 to a rocking arm 3 1, carried by the spring-arm head 21 and adapted to be vibrated when rotation is imparted to the rock-shaft 16. Adjustably mounted on the reciprocating rod 32 is a pair of collars 35, that are preferably screwthreaded to said rod. These collars occupy positions at opposite sides of the oscillating bar 29, and. between each collar and said oscillating bar is a cushion-spring 36.

In the practical use of my attachment when applied to a fertilizer-distributer the operation is as follows: The pitman 10 is continually reciprocated, due to its connection to the running-gear of the distributer, (not shown,) and therefore the rocking lever 9 is constantly vibrated to cause the double pawl 11 to actuate the ratchet-wheel, with which one of its points is in engagement. During the fertilizer-discharging action the rear point 14 of the pawl 11 is in engagement with the inner and rearwardly-rotating ratchet-wheel 8, as seen in Fig. VI, in which position thepawl is held by the spring 15 bearing thereagainst. At this time the finger 22 of the lower springarm is engaged in the notch 28 at the lower end of the dog 25, thereby retaining said. spring-arm in depressed condition. Continued reciprocation of the pitman 10 causes the rearwardly-rotating ratchet-wheel to rotate the operating-shaft 5 step by step until the apron 2 has been shifted rearwardly to the limit of its movement and the fertilizer thereon discharged. I/Vhen the apron reaches the limit of its movement, the finger 3, carried thereby, rides beneath the roller 19, as seen in Fig. III, and trips the crank-arm 18 upwardly. The rock-shaft 16 is therebyoscillated, with the result of throwing the rocking arm 84 forwardly to carry the reciprocating rod 32 in a corresponding direction and with the further result of elevating the springarms 20 and 20. As a consequence, a forward pull is exerted by the reciprocating rod 82 upon the oscillating bar 29 to rock the dog so that its lower end will move rearwardly in a direction away from the finger 22' of the lower spring-arm, with which it previously engaged, and at the same time the resiliency of said spring-arm provides for its catching so that said finger will ride out of the lower notch of the dog. The lower spring-arm then ascends, and its finger 23 strikes against the lower side of the rear arm of the pawl 11 to elevate said arm and rock the forward arm of the pawl downwardly in order that it will engage the forwardly-rotating ratchet-wheel 8. After the actions stated have taken place the continued reciprocation of the pitman 10 causes vibration of the rocking lever 9, and the forwardly-rotating ratchet-wheel is propelled to return the apron 2 to its forward position, due to the rotation imparted to the operating-shaft 5. At the time the spring-arms 20 and 20 are thrown upwardly to disengage the lower springarm from the dog 25 the upper spring-arm finger 22 is elevated to an extent to permit of its engagement with the upper notch 27 of the dog 25, and therefore said spring-arm is upheld by said dog until freed therefrom when the apron 2 reaches the forward limit of its travel. hen such limit of travel of the apron is reached, the parts are again actuated in the following manner: The inclined finger 4 at the rear end of the apron by striking against the crank-arm roller 19 depresses said crank-arm and oscillates the rock-shaft 16, with the result of throwing the reciprocating rod 32 rearwardly and depressing the springarms 20 and 20', due to which the upper end of the dog 25 is thrown rearwardly from the position seen in Fig. I, and the spring-arm finger 22 is freed from engagement with said dog at the same time that the dog is rocked, as stated, and said spring-arm arches downwardly and rides out of engagement with the dog to descend, so that its finger 23 will strike against the upper side of the rear arm of the pawl 11, throwing said arm downwardly into engagement with the rearwardly-rotating ratchetwheel 8 and freeing the pawl from the other ratchet-wheel, so that continued action of the pitman 10 and rocking lever 9 will again effect rearward movement of the apron 2, due to the rearward rotation of the operatingshaft 5.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination with the shiftable apron of a fcrtilizer-distributer and its operating mechanism, of means for automatically arresting and reversing the action of said operating mechanism when said apron reaches the limit of its travel in each direction, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with the apron, operating-shaft, and operating-shaft ratchet-wheels of a fertilizer-distributer, of a rocking lever, a pawl carried by said rocking lever and adapted for engagement with either of said ratchetwheels, and means controlled by said apron for automatically shifting said pawl from one of said ratchet-wheels to the other at both the rear and forward limits of travel of the apron, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination with the apron, operating-shaft, and operating-shaft ratchet-wheels of a fertilizer-distributer, of a rocking lever, a pawl carried by said rocking lever and adapted for engagement with either of said ratchetwheels, movable members for engaging said pawl to alter its engagement from one of said ratchet-wheels to the other, means for controlling said pawl-engaging means, and means whereby said apron controls said pawl-engaging members at both the rear and forward limits of travel of the apron, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination with the apron, operating-shaft, and operating-shaft ratchet-wheels of a fertilizer-distributer, of a rocking lever, a pawl carried by said rocking lever and adapted for engagement with either of said ratchetwheels, movable members for engaging said pawl to alter its engagement from one of said ratchet-wheels to the other, a dog arranged for detachable engagement with said pawl-engaging means, and means whereby said apron controls said pawl-engagingmembers at both the rear and forward limits of travel of the apron, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with the apron, operating-shaft and operating-shaft ratchet-wheels of a fertiliZer-distributer, of a rocking lever, a pawl carried bysaid rocking lever and adapted for engagement with either of said ratchetwheels, movable members for engaging said pawl to alter its engagement from one of said ratchetwheels to the other, a notched dog with which said pawl-engaging means engages, means for moving said dog to free said pawl-engaging means, and means whereby said apron controls said pawl-engaging members at both the rear and forward limits of travel of the apron, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination with the apron, operating-shaft and operating-shaft ratchet-wheels of a fertiliZer-distributer, of a rocking lever, apawl carried by said rocking lever and adapted for engagement with either of said ratchetwheels, movable members for engaging said pawl to alter its engagement from one of said ratchet-wheels to the other, a dog for receiving the engagement of said pawl-engaging means, an oscillating bar connected to said dog, a reciprocating rod having engagement with said oscillating bar for rocking said dog, and means whereby said apron controls said pawl-engaging members at both the rear and forward limits of travel of the apron, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination with the apron, operating-shaft and operating-shaft ratchet-wheels of a fertilizer-distributer, of a rocking lever, a pawl carried by said rocking lever and adapted for engagement with either of said ratchetwheels, movable members for engaging said pawl to alter its engagement from one of said ratchet-wheels to the other, adog for receiving the engagement of said pawl-engaging means, an oscillating bar connected to said dog, a reciprocating rod having engagement with said oscillating bar for rocking said dog, cushion-springs located at each side of said oscillating bar on said reciprocating rod, and means whereby said apron controls said pawlengaging members, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination with the apron, operating-shaft and operating-shaft ratchet-wheels of a fertilizer-distributer, of a rocking lever, a pawl carried by said rocking lever and adapted for engagement with either of said ratchetwheels, movable members for engaging said pawl to alter its engagement from one of said ratchet-wheels to the other, a dog for receiving the engagement of said pawl-engaging means, an oscillating bar connected to said dog, a reciprocating rod having engagement with said oscillating bar for rocking said dog, cushion-springs located at each side of said oscillating bar on said reciprocating rod, shiftable collars on said reciprocating rod confining said cushion-springs, and means whereby said apron controls said pawl-engaging members, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination with the apron, operating-shaft and operating-shaft ratchet-wheels of a fertilizer-distributer, of a rocking lever, a pawl carried by said rocking lever and adapted for engagement with either of said ratchetwheels, a pair of spring-arms mounted to be actuated by said apron, means whereby said apron controls said pawl-engaging members at both the rear and forward limits of travel of the apron, and a dog with which said springarms have detachable engagement,said springarms being arranged for engagement with said pawl to trip it, substantially as set forth.

10; The combination with the apron, operating shaft and operating shaft ratchetwheels of a fertiliZer-distributer, of a rocking lever, a pawl carried by said rocking lever and adapted for engagement with either of said ratchet-wheels, a rock-shaft provided with means for receiving the engagement of said apron, a pair of spring-arms carried by said rock-shaft, a dog for receiving the engagement of said spring-arms, means for actuating said dog to free said spring-arms for engagement with said pawl, and means whereby said apron controls said pawl-engaging members, substantially as set forth.

11. In a fertilizer-distributer, the combination of an operating-shaft, a pair of ratchetwheels fixed to said shaft, a pawl-carrying member loosely mounted on said shaft, a pawl carried by said member, an apron, a pair of fingers carried by said apron, a rock-shaft, a crank-arm arranged to be engaged by said apron-carried fingers, a pair of spring-arms carried by said rock-shaft, a dog for receiv ing the engagement of said spring-arms, and means for rocking said dog out of engagement with said arms to permit the approach of the spring-arms to said pawl, substantially as set forth.

12. In a fertilizer-distributer, the combination of an operating-shaft, a pair of ratchetwheels fixed to said shaft, a pawl-carrying member loosely mounted on said shaft, a pawl carried by said member, an apron, a pair of fingers carried by said apron, a rock-shaft, a crank-arm arranged to be engaged by said forth.

HENRY A. ZOBRIST. In presence of E. S. .KNIGHI, NELLIE V. ALEXANDER. 

